The 22nd International Conference on the Physics of Highly Charged Ions (HCI2026) was held in Huizhou, Guangdong Province, China, from September 7 to 11. The event brought together more than 180 researchers from China and 16 oversea countries and regions, including Germany, the United States, Japan, France, Austria, Australia.

HCI2026 was hosted by the Institute of Modern Physics (IMP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and co-organized by the National Key Laboratory of Computational Physics at the Institute of Applied Physics and Computational Mathematics, the State Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Science and Technology, and the Southern Center for Nuclear-Science Theory (SCNT).

The conference focused on frontier topics including the structure and spectroscopy of highly charged ions, collision dynamics, photon-plasma interactions, strong-field and ultrafast dynamics, as well as advanced experimental techniques and applications. It featured a diverse range of exchange activities, including plenary talks, invited presentations, selected oral presentations, poster sessions, and an invited public lecture, providing a high-level academic exchange platform for experts and scholars.

During the conference, a number of internationally renowned experts delivered invited talks on key research topics, showcasing the latest research achievements, frontier theories, advanced experimental techniques, and future development trends in the field of highly charged ion physics.

In recent years, research on highly charged ions has achieved significant progress in precision tests of quantum electrodynamics, the development of next-generation atomic clocks, studies of variations in fundamental constants, searches for physics beyond the Standard Model, and diagnostics of fusion plasmas and astrophysical extreme environments. Such research has become a cornerstone of modern atomic and plasma physics and continues to drive advances in both experimental techniques and theoretical methods. Supported by the development of major scientific facilities such as the High Intensity heavy-ion Accelerator Facility (HIAF), China has continued to strengthen its international influence in heavy-ion science and highly charged ion research.

Launched in 1982, the HCI conference series is one of the most influential international conferences in the field of atomic and molecular physics. Held biennially, it has become a major platform for academic exchange among researchers in atomic physics, plasma physics, nuclear science, and related interdisciplinary areas, playing an important role in advancing both theoretical and experimental research worldwide.

Figure. Group photo of the conference‌ (Image from IMP)